When Benefit’s original Porefessional face primer and pore perfector was launched, it became an instant best seller and classic beauty product. Now Benefit have added to the sub-brand with the launch of The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine, a ‘shine vanishing pro powder’ that claims to minimise pores and eliminate shine. The lightweight tube features a detachable brush on one end, and a lid on the other that reveals a ‘talc’ like dispenser. To use the product you simply tap a small amount of powder into the lid, use the brush to pick up the product (tapping to remove excess,) and buff into the skin. It can be used under or over makeup, depending on how heavy you like it or the consistency of your foundation, to provide a flawless finish… But is this to become as cult-like as the original? In my opinion, no.
Although the powder does provide a shine free finish and help to create a flawless result, even on oily skin and visible pores, it’s essentially just a loose powder. As someone that has used finishing powder within my makeup routine as long as I can remember, for me this was an added extra that I didn’t really need. The powder is exceptionally fine and perfect for those afraid of the matte or heavy result a loose powder can provide, but the trick is all in the application – if you use a high quality powder and great brush then the same result can be achieved. I also felt a little let down by the quality of the product; I’m used to lusting over the detail of the Benefit packaging, really believing love has gone into producing it, but this felt a little cheap. I hated the quality of the brush and found I could achieve much better results with my own, while the detailing and different elements made me feel Benefit have over-complicated what could have been a simple product.
What also makes me uncomfortable about The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine, is the price point. It’s a whopping £23.50 for 7g of powder, which in comparison to the £3.99 pressed powder from Seventeen Cosmetics I’m also currently using, is seriously overpriced. If this provided something unique or different then I would be singing it’s praises, as a lover of all things Benefit; however, in my opinion this is simply a loose powder presented in an innovative format so a premium can be charged. This is a perfect example of a brand taking advantage of a successful launch and consumer enthusiasm, without really thinking about what it is they’re buying into – there isn’t really a unique selling point here, which is why (for me) this has been one of the biggest disappointments of 2013. Keep your pennies and buy some more Quality Street…!
Benefit The Porefessional: Agent Zero Shine is available now priced £23.50 for a 7g tub.
This is the first negative post I've seen. I did wonder how a powder could supposedly give the same results as the original. It would have been better if this was a pressed powder, in my opinion.Danniella x | http://www.famousinjapan.co.uk
I agree with you. A traditional pressed powder I could've bought into, but unfortunately this just seems a product for products sake.
Thanks for the review! Powder is an integral part of my make up routine as I have oily skin, and I had my eyes on this but now I am going to save my pennies! xxyespleasebeauty.blogspot.co.uk
I'd suggest you just invest in a really great finishing powder to be honest!
I totally agree the more i read about it the less i liked it and the fact there is so little product in it just makes me wonder as you said are they taking advantage of people from an already successful product before itwww.andrewjamesblog.com
It's such a teeny amount of powder that you'd go through it in a couple of weeks! The original can last for months…!
It is disappointing when a brand just adds something on to a successful product that seems a bit half arsed… and rediculously overpriced! Poppy | far away
Couldn't agree more. It's like they just chucked it out there to make a few quid over the party season. Definitely below Benefit's usual standard.
I was sooo eager to try it… Sigh 🙁
The product looks a bit faffy to me too…you'd think with it being in a small tube it would be easy to apply but it's clearly not sometht you can use while you're on the go. I won't be wasting my money on it! xo
I've seen some posts say it's 'great for on the go' but I couldn't imagine anything worse to be honest! Too faffy.
Glad I read this, it is a ridiculous price for what you get! xGirlintheblackhat
Never really saw the hype in this! berrie-blogs.blogspot.com xxx
It's great to read such an honest review. I have to say that even before reading it this product didn't appeal to me at all.
I haven't heard anything about this product until now! I feel like the original Porefessional would be enough http://fromfilmwithlove.blogspot.ca
The brush looks kind of nasty! A good powder shouldn't need a gimmick, but then I have always thought a lot of Benefit products to be gimmicky. If anyone wants a lovely, light powder the Illamsaqua loose one is fab.
I agree with you – a lot of the Benefit products are a bit gimmicky, but most of them are also pretty good. However, occasionally (like this product) the gimmick takes over and they forget about performance.
Thank you for the review, but I still really want to try it! Why does Benefit have to make us want it so 🙂
Pleased to read a review like this, there needs to be some clear thinking with launches like this… from Benefit especially, as the queens of producing gimmicks and overcharging with pretty much guaranteed sales none the less because of their loyal customer base. They need to work on making more of their star products, not just more fillers and bandwagon gimmicks to the genuinely good Benefit products!
I agree with you!
It's so refreshing to read an HONEST, UNBIASED review! Beauty blogs today have gone the way of beauty mags- basically shills for products because when you get things for free, you're obviously not going to then slag off the product (plus, a bad review could sour said blogger in the eyes of the brand, and then no more freebies to 'review.') It has gotten really frustrating and, as I said, every bit as corrupt as beauty mags with their "Best of the Year" aka "The Products we got paid the most to encourage you to buy"!!
Thanks Lisa. I pride myself on only recommending things I really like and shouting out about those that are a waste of money… That's the most important thing for me, rather than keeping brands happy.
Yeah I had a play with it in store and really think it's tacky, cheaply packaged and wayy overpriced. The brush is also pretty ugly and unhygienic haha wont be wasting money on this and will stick to my rimmel stay matte powder xocreamteaandrosejam.blogspot.co.uk
Hi Hayley,Any recommendations on other brands?
Really helpful review, thank you!LIVE.IN.LOVE ☆
Thanks for the review. I was looking into purchasing this product and your review has helped. I think I will opt out simply because I have read a lot of "not so good" reviews. Again, love how honest this review is. Love.xo pearlnovembre.blogspot.com